Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)

Both the Minister for Health and Children and I are fully committed to introducing the new nursing homes support scheme in 2009. The legislation required in order to introduce the scheme is complex and has involved careful drafting to ensure that the interests of older people requiring residential care are fully protected. The Minister expects to publish the Bill within the next two weeks or so and to bring it before the Houses of the Oireachtas for debate in this Dáil session.

On publication of the Bill, further engagement will take place with stakeholders on the details of the new scheme. This will take place under the auspices of Towards 2016.

The necessary funding for the scheme will be addressed as part of the forthcoming budget.

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